San Antonio summers don’t play around, but the city is packed with ways to stay cool, cultured and curious without melting into the sidewalk. Whether you prefer AC, shade, water or just a cool vibe, here are 25 ideas for beating the heat in and around the Alamo City.
Visit Confluence Park
Walk shaded trails by the river during the day, then return at night for Sonic Transmissions, the free light show and DJ series.
Free, Daily, sunrise-sunset, events vary, 310 W. Mitchell St., San Antonio, sariverfound.org.
Check out cool music at Jazz, TX
This basement bastion for jazz features cocktails and cool sounds tucked beneath the Pearl.
Price varies by show, Tuesday-Saturday, 312 Pearl Parkway, Suite 6001, San Antonio, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com.
Stroll the Briscoe Western Art Museum
Cool off inside galleries celebrating the art and stories of the American West. This summer, the museum unveils its new “Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story” exhibition, which explores almost 400 years of Tejano history.
Free-$14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Thursday-Monday, 210 W. Market St., San Antonio, (210) 299-4499, briscoemuseum.org.
Feel included at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp and Inspiration Island
This all-inclusive water park designed for visitors of all abilities, and it features splash zones and warm-water pools that will keep everyone in the family happy.
Price varies, seasonal hours; check schedule, 23400 Cibolo Vista, San Antonio, (210) 495-5888, morganswonderland.com.
Browse Historic Market Square
Stroll through air-conditioned shops, grab an agua fresca and wander the shaded stalls at downtown’s historic marketplace.
Free, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 514 W. Commerce St., San Antonio, (210) 207-8600, marketsquaresa.com.
Go thrifting
Beat the heat inside by visiting one of the many curated vintage shops across the city. Whether you’re looking for Y2K style or retro home goods, SA has you covered. Pink Dreams Vintage, Sisters in the Park and the antique shops at Blanco Street are great places to start.
Get meditative at the Japanese Tea Garden
Cool pathways and koi ponds — what’s not to like? If you have plans to go to the zoo this summer, why not go across the street to visit this Brackenridge Park gem for a breezy daytime escape?
Free, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, (210) 212-7181, saparksfoundation.org.
Float the Guadalupe at Guadalupe River State Park
Cold spring-fed water plus a slow float and cold drink equals peak Texas summer.
$7 adults, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov.
Explore San Fernando Cathedral
Step into the oldest functioning cathedral in Texas. Make sure to stop by the cool, quiet refuge at night to see the light show.
Free, daily, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, (210) 227-1297, sfcathedral.org.
Watch the World Cup — or some other sporting event — in Southtown
Mexico may be out, but it’s still worth it to catch matches at the Friendly Spot Ice House, Bar America or other neighborhood bars with misters, shade and cold drinks.
Visit the Cave Without a Name
This naturally cool cavern north of Boerne features dramatic formations and even hosts occasional underground concerts.
$25 adults, daily, 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne, (830) 537-4212, cavewithoutaname.com.
Get an eyeful at the Blue Star Arts Complex
Visit the new solo exhibits at the Contemporary at Blue Star, catch an outdoor film with Slab Cinema, grab some coffee at Halcyon and browse the selection at San Angel Folk Art. The possibilities are endless at the fun arts complex.
Business hours vary, 1414 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, (210) 354-3775, bluestarartscomplex.com.
Drown your thirst with an agua fresca
Whether you prefer watermelon or tamarindo, San Antonio’s agua fresca scene is peak summer relief. Try Frutería La Mission, any of the Las Nieves locations or your neighborhood frutería.
Dig into the San Antonio Public Library archives
Have you ever been curious about the history of San Antonio? Schedule a free appointment with the library’s downtown location to explore Fiesta memorabilia, historic photos and deep-dive city archives — all in blessed AC.
Free, appointment-based, 600 Soledad St., San Antonio, (210) 207-2500, mysapl.org.
Take a dip at San Pedro Springs Park Pool
A historic, tree-lined and spring-fed pool that stays cool even on triple-digit days.
Free, seasonal hours, 2200 N. Flores St., San Antonio, (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov.
Get immersed in Hopscotch
The immersive art installations at downtown’s Hopscotch gallery will make you forget about the blistering heat that awaits you outside.
$25 adults, hours vary Thursday-Sunday, 711 Navarro St., Suite 100, San Antonio, (833) 477-9229, letshopscotch.com.
Find a favorite swimming hole
If the Guadalupe State Park proper isn’t your vibe, explore one of the many fun swimming holes along the river. Blue Hole, Krause Springs and Canyon Lake are all within reach for a cool dip this summer.
Hours and addresses vary, tpwd.texas.gov.
Picking up reading material at Nowhere Bookshop
Head next door to Nowhere, grab a cold beer or glass of wine from the bar in the back and find your next summer read.
Free entry, 5154 Broadway, San Antonio, (210) 640-7260, nowherebookshop.com.
Have an adventure at Otaku Cafe
The AC is usually blasting at this spot with imported Japanese arcade games and plenty of fun snacks to try.
Free entry; game tokens vary, hours vary, daily, 7022 Bandera Road, San Antonio, (210) 455-4516, rrotakucafe.com.
Swim indoors at the Atanacio Garcia Natatorium
If outdoor pools are still too torrid an expense, consider taking a class at the natatorium.
$4 adults, hours vary Monday–Saturday, 1430 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., (210) 207-3299, sanantonio.gov.
Get wheels under your feet at the Rollercade.
Channel retro roller rink energy while enjoying the AC.
$12 admission, hours vary, Tuesday-Sunday, 223 Recoleta Road, (210) 826-6361, therollercade.com.
Taking driving tour of SA’s street art
Cruise the city’s murals from the comfort of your car AC. Look through the databases for murals by San Anto Cultural Art or Get Creative SA for inspiration, or book a tour with San Antonio Mural Ride.
Price and schedule vary, 503 Chestnut, San Antonio, (210)901-8981, sanantoniomuralride.com.
Change the pace at Nofi Slow Bar
If you want to unplug and focus on the art of the brew, pop into Nofi.
Free entry, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 819 Fredericksburg Road, instagram.com/nofi.slowbar.
Find the Cool Cave at Robber Baron Preserve
This tiny, volunteer-run nature preserve in Alamo Heights has a naturally cool cave entrance and shaded trails.
Free, limited hours; check for volunteer-led open days, 901 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, (preserve entrance off Camellia Lane), tcmacaves.org.
Have a learning experience at the Museo Del Westside
Although the Esperanza Center is temporarily closed for renovations, make sure to check out its new museum dedicated to the city’s culturally rich Wes Sside.
Free, noon-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 824 S. Colorado St., San Antonio, (210) 228-0201, museodelwestside.org.